Schmidt Opera Series
Amahl and the Night Visitors
Gian-Carlo Menotti

Setting: The hills of Bethlehem, at the time of the first Christmas

Amahl: Madeline Cox, Bailee Bostic (cover)
His Mother: Darwi Sandleben, Kathryn Lee (cover)
Kaspar: Isaac Cooper
Melchior: Griffin Devoy
Balthasar: Adam Smith
The Page: Ryder Burns

Chorus of Shepherds

Melanie Baker, Isaac Baker, Ivy Benson, Bailee Bostic, Leila Bowman, Stephanie Brugh, Ryder Burns, Christian Carner, Garrett Curtis, Ethan Davenport, Colin Dawson, Alex Dix, Theodore Estin, Megan Gemmel, Katie Grubb, Alexa Hokenstad, Marshall Hopkins, Alexis Howey, Hannah Hunt, Mike Kmiecik, Rebecca Laskey, Kathryn Lee, Tyger Lilley, Reid McIntire, Grant Mills, Luke Moran, Michelle Nuti, Justin Pappas, Madison Petty, Jackson Pitt, David Poindexter, Clay Steenbergen, Samantha Waddell, Mason Wilhite, Jessica Ybarra

Synopsis

Amahl, a young, poor shepherd boy, lives with his widowed mother in a small hut. As the opera begins, Amahl tries to tell his mother about what he has seen in the night sky: an enormous star with a long tail! His mother, tired of his wild imagination and tall tales, grows angry. She is even angrier when Amahl tells her that a knock at the door is from three kings who have come to visit them. The kings enter and tell Amahl and his mother that they are following a large star in the sky, on their way to find a new-born king. The Three Kings show Amahl and his Mother the rich gifts they have brought for this king. While Amahl’s mother is out gathering wood for the fire, Amahl asks the kings questions, and explains that he used to be a shepherd, but his sheep were sold. One of the kings, Kaspar, shows Amahl his fancy box, full of magic stones, beads, and candy. Amahl goes out and gathers the neighbors, who are all shepherds. The shepherds greet each other and catch up on the local news. They present their gifts of special foods to the kings and perform a dance. Later that night, Amahl’s mother is tempted to steal some of the kings’ gold since she and Amahl are very poor. She is caught, but the kings offer to let her keep the gold, explaining that the king they seek will need nothing but love to rule his kingdom. The mother declines their offer, returning the gold. Amahl then offers his crutch, which is his only possession, as an additional gift. Suddenly, he finds that he can walk. He leaves with the kings to pay homage to the child who has healed him.

Personnel

Director: Alanna Keenan
Conductor and Chorus Master: Dennis Malfatti
Pianist: Kristin Jones
Violin I: Robert Anemone, Maria Mastropaolo, Tatianna Dunn
Violin 2: Nico Malaimare, Lisa Lance, Karen Renner
Viola: Emily Brandenburg, Carol Dallinger
Cello: Kirsten Jermé
Contrabass: James Sullivan
Flute: Leanne Hampton
Oboe: Elizabeth Robertsons, Kathleen Carter
Clarinet: Thomas Josenhans
Bassoon: Ron Tucker
Trumpet: Tim Smith
Horn: Barbara Josenhans
Piano: Kristin Jones

Special thanks to Amy Esche, Dr. Tamara Gieselman, Dr. Eric McCluskey, Dr. Gregory B. Rike, Laurel Vaughn, UE Religious Life and UE Department of Music.

This performance is underwritten by a grant from the William E. Schmidt Foundation.